We were in the doldrums at the time. He moved to the Manchester area to study for a degree and Saints offered him the chance to continue playing rugby whilst studying. HTH

Gutted he'll probably never wear our red n white again. Quality player, as proven by the recent 4 nations imo.

Nice to see. As an older fan you start to get a bit of perspective, and I much prefer watching long-term players and youngsters than shiny new signings nowadays.

TBH I think the signings of the likes of Sinfield and Wilkin on deals that take them into their 30s is probably less to do with Union and more to do with the likely upcoming shortage of quality overseas players being available. Sts may well have got in last with Hohaia and Laffranchi. I suspect they'll be higher quality than most new imports we hear about. That means that you'll have more clubs jostling to sign any quality English players at the end of their contract.

If more than ten years ins't enough, one wonders how long a player needs to be at a club to be loyal in your world sir.

I did wonder if Wilkin would be tempted to go back to finish were he started. But he'll be 32 when this contract is over, so unless he's one of those rare players that just keeps there quality at the same level well into the third decade, I think Rovers would not be interested in a swan song.

Pitty for both Rovers and Wilkin as I'm sure deep downhe's still a fan of the Robins. You can still make you living and play whole heartedly for Saints yet stil have a soft spot for your home town club.

Hmmmm. Pretty sure you just did.